Introducing new hens

[sweet_peeps]

Hello all,
I've been gone for quite a few months but still enjoying my girls.
In fact:
I have (7)- 9 month old Barred Rock hens and I just got (2)- 4 1/2-5 month old Buff Orpington hens last Thurs.

I had kept the new hens in a large dog crate in the hen house until yesterday when I let all the girls out in the yard together.
Only once did I see my largest Barred Rock peck once at one and that was because the stupid teenage hen ran at her.

I put them back in the crate last night.

Today, a couple of the older hens are dust bathing with the new ones which is so sweet.

Should I keep putting them in the crate at night or do you think 4 days is long enough to let the new ones mingle with the older girls on the roost?

 

[davidb]

Thats long enough,once they are together they have to establish the pecking order or top hen once thats done they will get along just fine

 

[sweet_peeps]

Thank-You!
I'll be glad to get that dog crate out of there and just let them all together.

I'm so happy they all seem to get along so well.
Maybe that's from having 2 docile breeds.

On second thought, maybe i'll keep the crate in there 1 more night with the door open and see who goes where.